Route One to Certification

• One route to California massage therapist certification involves professional, postsecondary training. To qualify through education, prospective massage therapists must participate in at least 500 hours of professional training. At least half of this training must come from a state-approved massage therapy school. Rather than publishing a list of accredited institutions, the California Massage Therapy Council accepts any institution that is a member of the California community college system, has regional accreditation from an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education or is approved by California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. The remaining 250 hours of coursework can come from any massage therapy program. To qualify for certification through training, prospective therapists most show proof of completing their education by presenting a transcript or similar document.
  
  

Route Two to Certification

• Massage therapists who have at least two years of work experience in the field can qualify for certification. For this method of qualification, therapists must pass an examination offered through either the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards or the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Both examinations are multiple-choice and taken using computers at Pearson Vue testing centers in California. As of January 2011, Pearson Vue operated 15 testing centers across the state. Certification applicants using this pathway must submit proof of work experience through the form of a tax return, business permits or pay stubs.
  
  

Route Three to Certification

• Applicants who have certification, licensing or registration issued by another state may qualify for California massage certification. To apply, out-of-state massage therapists must submit a copy of their credentials to the California Massage Therapy Council, which conducts a check to ensure the licenses are valid and have no restrictions or suspensions levied against them. Provided that the issuing state's requirements for credentialing are roughly equivalent to California's, the Council will issue out-of-state applicants certification upon completion of the check.
  
  

Other Requirements

• All applicants for California massage therapist certification must undergo a criminal background check. To begin the check, candidates must undergo professional fingerprinting at a Live Scan location approved by the California Office of the Attorney General. Hundreds of locations are located across the state with typically at least one office based in every county. In addition to the background check, all massage therapy certification candidates must complete an application, which is available online from the California Massage Therapy Council. Applicants must also pay a fee, the amount of which was $150 as of January 2011.